Frequently Asked Questions
Questions about RSSI? You’re in the right place.
The Research Security and Safeguards Initiative (RSSI) is a multi-year effort to strengthen and protect the University of Michigan’s research enterprise. This page answers common questions about the initiative, its goals, and what it means for members of the research community.
Additional questions can be directed to [email protected]
General Questions
Learn about the initiative, its purpose and the goals it is designed to achieve.
The Research Security and Safeguards Initiative (RSSI) is a university-wide effort to strengthen and protect the University of Michigan’s research enterprise. Through coordinated improvements to policies, training, oversight systems, facilities security, onboarding processes, and communications, RSSI helps ensure that research is conducted securely and responsibly while supporting the university’s mission of research excellence.
Research is taking place in an increasingly complex environment shaped by evolving sponsor expectations, regulatory requirements, and global collaboration. RSSI is a proactive effort to strengthen the systems, guidance, and support that help researchers navigate these changes while protecting the integrity of the university’s research enterprise and maintaining the trust of research sponsors, collaborators, and the public.
RSSI is designed to strengthen the university’s research enterprise by improving coordination, clarifying expectations, and enhancing the systems that support secure and responsible research. The initiative also helps position the University of Michigan to meet evolving sponsor expectations, reduce risk, and continue advancing world-class research and innovation.
RSSI is led by Office of the Vice President for Research (OVPR) personnel in collaboration with partners from across the university. The initiative brings together expertise from academic, administrative, research support, and compliance units to ensure a coordinated, institution-wide approach to research security.
RSSI is made up of five interconnected workstreams with experts from across the university. The workstreams are designed to strengthen the systems, safeguards and culture that support responsible research. The workstreams focus on oversight of biological and other research materials, training and policy, facilities security, research-related vetting and onboarding, and change management and communications.
Why This Matters
Understand why research security is receiving increased attention and how RSSI supports research excellence.
Research is taking place in an increasingly complex environment shaped by evolving sponsor expectations, new technologies, global collaboration, and changing regulatory requirements. Universities across the country are strengthening their research security programs to help protect research, support responsible collaboration, and ensure they remain trusted partners in advancing discovery.
Research sponsors and collaborators increasingly expect institutions to demonstrate strong research security practices. By strengthening policies, processes, training, and institutional support, RSSI helps the University of Michigan meet these expectations, maintain trusted partnerships, and remain well positioned to compete for future research opportunities.
Research excellence depends on strong systems, clear expectations, and a culture of responsible research. RSSI strengthens the foundation that supports research by improving coordination, clarifying expectations, and helping researchers navigate requirements more effectively.
No. RSSI is intended to support responsible, secure research, not restrict academic inquiry or collaboration. The initiative is designed to strengthen the systems and guidance that help researchers navigate evolving expectations while continuing to pursue innovative research and collaborate with partners around the world in appropriate and responsible ways.
The University of Michigan has long been recognized as a leader in research and innovation. RSSI builds on that strong foundation by proactively strengthening the policies, systems, and support that enable responsible research. Through continuous improvement and a coordinated institutional approach, RSSI helps position U-M to meet evolving expectations while continuing to advance world-class research.
What Is Changing?
Learn what to expect as RSSI is implemented and how changes will be communicated.
RSSI is a multi-year initiative, and changes will be introduced over time as workstreams progress. The research community can expect improvements to policies, training, processes, communications, and support resources that strengthen research security while making expectations clearer and easier to navigate. Not every change will affect every researcher, and updates will be communicated before they are implemented.
Some workstreams may result in new or updated policies, processes, or training where appropriate. In many cases, however, RSSI is focused on clarifying existing expectations, improving coordination, and strengthening the systems that support research. Any new requirements will be communicated clearly and accompanied by guidance and resources to support implementation.
RSSI updates will be shared through a variety of university communications channels, including the RSSI website, emails, presentations, leadership communications, and department- or unit-level communications. Information will be tailored to the audiences most affected, with an emphasis on providing clear, timely, and actionable guidance.
No. RSSI is being implemented over multiple years, and changes will be introduced in phases as individual workstreams progress. This phased approach allows the university to engage stakeholders, provide appropriate guidance, and support successful implementation over time.
Communications will be targeted to the audiences most affected by each change. If a new policy, process, training, or expectation applies to your role or research activities, you will receive information about what is changing, when it will take effect, and where to find additional guidance and support.
This RSSI website will serve as the primary source for initiative updates, resources, and frequently asked questions. Researchers are also encouraged to watch for communications from university leadership, their schools or colleges, and their departments.
Research Security & Safeguards Expectations
Find answers about responsibilities, day-to-day impacts and available resources.
Research security means conducting research in ways that protect people, research materials, data, facilities, and intellectual assets while meeting applicable legal, regulatory, sponsor, and university requirements. In practice, this includes following established policies and procedures, completing required training, safeguarding research resources, and seeking guidance when questions arise.
Research security is a shared responsibility. Researchers, research staff, students, university leaders, and research support offices all play important roles in maintaining a secure and responsible research environment. RSSI is designed to strengthen the systems and support that help every member of the research community understand and fulfill those responsibilities.
For many researchers, day-to-day research activities may change very little. Over time, you may notice improvements to policies, training, guidance, or administrative processes that make research security expectations clearer and easier to navigate. If changes directly affect your work, they will be communicated in advance and accompanied by guidance and support.
If you have questions about a research security requirement, start by consulting the RSSI website and any guidance provided by your department. The university is committed to helping researchers understand and meet expectations.
RSSI will provide a variety of resources to help the research community understand the university’s research security expectations, including guidance documents, FAQs, training, presentations, and website resources. As new policies, processes, or requirements are introduced, additional tools and support will be developed to help researchers prepare and adapt successfully.
Training & Education
Learn about research security training, who it applies to and where to find information.
The efforts of RSSI may result in recommending new or updating existing training, but the RSSI itself will likely not produce new training. The goal is to provide clear, coordinated training that helps researchers understand research security expectations and meet their responsibilities with confidence.
RSSI is developing a more coordinated approach to research security training. Training may be delivered through online learning, instructor-led sessions, or other formats, depending on the topic and audience. The goal is to make training accessible, practical, and appropriate for different research roles.
Some existing training may be updated or integrated into a more coordinated program as RSSI develops. The initiative is intended to clarify, streamline, and better organize existing training rather than create entirely new requirements. Any significant changes will be communicated in advance.
Questions by Audience
Find information tailored to faculty members, research staff & administrators, postdoctoral fellows & students researchers and visiting researchers & scholars.
Faculty Member
For many faculty, the impact will be limited. As RSSI is implemented, you may see improvements to policies, training, guidance, or administrative processes that support research security. If changes affect your research activities, they will be communicated in advance, along with the information and resources needed to help you prepare.
RSSI is intended to improve clarity, coordination, and support across the research enterprise, not to create unnecessary administrative burden. While some workstreams may introduce new or updated requirements where appropriate, many efforts are focused on clarifying existing expectations, streamlining processes, and making it easier for researchers to understand and meet their responsibilities.
Faculty will receive information through a combination of university communications, school or college communications, and department leadership. Whenever possible, communications will explain what is changing, why it matters, who is affected, and where to find additional guidance and resources.
Research Staff or Administrator
Research staff and administrators may see updates to policies, procedures, training, and administrative processes as RSSI is implemented. These changes are intended to improve consistency across the university, clarify expectations, and strengthen the systems that support research security. Information and guidance will be provided before changes take effect.
RSSI will provide a variety of resources to help research staff and administrators implement new expectations successfully. Depending on the workstream, these may include guidance documents, FAQs, training, presentations, process maps, templates, and other practical tools. Resources will be developed to support consistent implementation across the research enterprise.
If you have questions about implementing a policy, process, or other RSSI-related change, begin by consulting the RSSI website and any guidance provided by your school, college, or unit. Research administrators can also help connect you with the right resources.
Postdoc or Student Researcher
Postdocs and student researchers are expected to follow the research security policies, procedures, and training requirements that apply to their research activities. Your principal investigator, supervisor, and department will help ensure you understand any expectations relevant to your role.
Possibly. Training requirements will depend on your role and the type of research you conduct. If new or updated training is required, you will receive information about what is expected, when training should be completed, and where to access it.
If you have questions about research security expectations, start by talking with your principal investigator, supervisor, or laboratory manager. You can also consult the RSSI website for additional guidance and resources.
Visiting Researcher or Scholar
Visiting researchers and scholars are expected to follow the same research security policies, procedures, and training requirements that apply to their research activities at the University of Michigan. Expectations will vary depending on the nature of the research and your role. Your host department and research team will help ensure you understand any requirements that apply to you.
Information will typically be provided through your host faculty member, department, laboratory, onboarding process, or required training.
If you have questions about research security expectations, start by contacting your host faculty member, laboratory manager, or department leader. They can help explain applicable requirements and connect you with the appropriate university office or research support resources if additional assistance is needed.
Questions, Feedback & Support
Learn how to ask questions, provide feedback and stay informed about RSSI.
Questions about RSSI can be submitted through the contact information provided on the RSSI website. Your question will be directed to the appropriate office or workstream team for a response.
Each RSSI workstream has designated project leads who can answer questions related to their area of responsibility. If you’re unsure where to direct your question, start with the contact information on the RSSI website, and you’ll be connected with the appropriate resource.
RSSI is a collaborative, university-wide initiative, and feedback from the research community is an important part of its success. Opportunities to provide feedback may be available through engagement sessions, surveys, or directly through the RSSI website. Input from faculty, staff, students, and other stakeholders will help inform the initiative as it evolves.
The RSSI website is the primary source for information about the initiative, including news, resources, FAQs, and implementation updates. You can also stay informed through communications from university leadership, your school or college, and your department.
Still Have a Question?
Didn’t find what you were looking for? We’re here to help.
RSSI is a collaborative, university-wide initiative, and questions are encouraged. If you need additional information or have a question that isn’t addressed in this FAQ, please contact us. We’ll make sure your question reaches the appropriate workstream or university office.
Email: [email protected]
This FAQ will be updated regularly as the Research Security & Safeguards Initiative progresses.
We encourage you to check back periodically for the latest information, resources and guidance.